Mount Cook II

Still wandering around. Lots and lots of cloud. Impressive all the same.

This is Kea Point. Behind me are the Mueller Glacier and Mount Cook. Still cloudy though. Mount Cook is the tallest mountain in New Zealand.

Mount Cook

I'm near Mount Cook. It's hiding in the clouds at the moment. Seems to be a popular pastime for mountains. I'm on a pathway leading to Kea Point, keas are mountain parrots. Signs everywhere warning you not to feed them.

Having a fly around to look at all these mountains. Even more cloud around now.

Lake Pukaki

Driving from Kaikoura to Mount Cook takes you past lake Pukaki. Its an unusual colour. With the Southern Alps behind its wonderful sight.

To get to Mount Cook you have to drive along the length of the lake. The road goes over a couple of single lane bridges. Its all quite spectacular.

Kaikoura II

Having seen the whales and dolphins I've driven to the seal colony. Mustn't get too close to them, they get a bit upset. More people than seals today.

Now up at a view point. It's quite high and lets you have a fantastic view of the peninsular that Kaikoura sits on.

Kaikoura Whale Watch II

Saw two whales. Now there are lots of dolphins. They are Dusky Dolphins. They jump out of the water an awful lot. Its very difficult to catch them on camera.

They aren't that easy to picture swimming in the water either. They move very fast.

Kaikoura Whale Watch

I am at the whale watch. Have checked in and am waiting for the talk. Weather forecast is not good so may be cancelled. Looks lovely at the moment doesn't it.

Yay, I am on the boat and off to look at some whales. Might see some dolphins as well.

Here's a whale. Its a sperm whale. Lot's of them hang around off the coast of Kaikoura. That big lens of mine is proving handy.

Kaikoura

Having dinner in Kaikoura. The napkins are green, the colour I stand on in the Welsh flag. I look like an athlete when they drape the flag round their shoulders now!

Having eaten I thought I'd fly over some of the mountains. Quite a bit of snow up here. This is looking north from the hotel I'm staying in.

Driving South to Kaikoura

Having got across the Cook Strait I picked up the hire car. It was exactly the same as the one on the North Island, makes things easier. The road to Kaikoura has some very nice views. I stopped here to enjoy the view and have a bite to eat. Lovely isn't it.

An hour later and here I am in Kaikoura. Had hoped to go and look at the seals, but the ferry was late. So will just enjoy the very nice views here. Weather is good, hope it holds for tomorrows whale watching.

On The Ferry

Thankfully the storm has cleared this morning. I'm on the ferry. Its a bit choppy but not too bad.

Calmed down a bit now we are in open water. Calm enough for me to have one drink of sparkling stuff. Its a few hours over to the South Island so plenty of time for cups of tea and a few nibbles. I'll go out on deck later, it's quite pretty when we get to the South Island.

Wellington III

I'm wandering around central Wellington looking for bees. I'm told there is a bee hive in the centre. I can't see it.

The predicted big storm is here. All ferries cancelled. This brave container has decided to go for a swim. I'm not standing in front of the camera for this one!

Wellington II

Going for a little walk along Wellington water front. Its all very nice so decided to stop for a coffee. It's a flat white and has a fern drawn on the top.

Following my coffee I felt I had the energy to fly over to another part of the harbour. As you can see I was warmly welcomed.

Wellington Botanical Gardens

This is the view from the botanical gardens at the top of the cable car. Its a bit overcast but not bad really. You can see the ferries from here. I'm due to be on one in a couple of days going over to the South Island. Big storm on the way, hope its gone by the time I travel.

Another view from the gardens. This is by the observatory. I can see a big cannon pointing at the harbour from here. Another thing to worry about when I'm on the ferry then! It's very nice up here. Think I'll save myself a bit of typing, click here.

Wellington Again

back in Wellington for a few days. The weather can be a bit changeable here so I am going up to the botanic gardens when the weather is nice. It's a short ride on the cable car, I'm sitting behind the driver.

There's a museum about the cable car at the top. This is one of the old cars. It's seats are at an angle to stop people sliding on the hill.

New Plymouth

Well I've got to New Plymouth. its a bit late and its a bit cloudy. Looks like rain. Mount Taranaki is hidden in cloud. However, have found a very nice bar with a river running alongside it.

It's the next day and its still cloudy in New Plymouth. Driving down to Wellington today. On local advice am driving along highway 45, Surf Highway. It takes you along the coast and round Mt Taranaki. Hope the weather clears a bit. Stopping a few times to look at coastal views, here's a very nice (self explanatory) place. Quite sunny on the sea front. Mt Taranaki still hidden. Pity.

Lake Taupo III

Here's the photo I took of birds at Lake Taupo. Caught one landing. Big lens gets you really close.

Another view of the lake. This is from a view point on a hill the other side of the lake the other photos were taken.

Lake Taupo II

Another one of me at Lake Taupo. I look even lovelier in this one. Er, it looks even lovelier in this one!!

There's some birds on the shore so I've got my big lens out. Hope to get a good photo.

Lake Taupo I

Following my dog tour of napier its off to New Plymouth via Lake Taupo. Long drive but lots of places to stop and enjoy the views. This was a nice spot to sit on the car and have a quick bite to eat.

Here I am at Lake Taupo. Its very big and very nice.

Napier

Driven up to Napier. Lots of winding roads on the mountains, very exciting. Lots of road works as well, not so exciting. Napier has lots of Art Deco buildings as it was destroyed by an earthquake in the 1930's and rebuilt. I like this building.

I found a lovely dog ride tour of Napier. It was going really well until the dog walker decided to hail a cab!

Wellington

Here I am in Wellington, New Zealand, starting the second leg of my holiday. Flight wasn't bad as Wellington can be quite windy.

I'm off to pick up the hire car shortly. Having a look at a leaflet to see what I fancy visiting. Looks like a relative has an ad here.

Got the car. A nice Mitsubishi lancer. No wine for me today!

Sydney IV

Having climbed the Opera House I have decided its best viewed by flying over it. Not so many tourists up here.

Here I am posing with Sydney Harbour Bridge behind me. I flew over it first and saw lots of people climbing it. It looked thirsty work.

Sydney III

Trying to get my bearings in Sydney so have stopped to look at map.

Checking camera settings now I have found where things are. Taking on more water to keep cool.

Sydney II

Continuing to look around Sydney. Its really hot and need plenty of, erm, water.

Found the Opera House. Decided it looked a fun place to climb! This is me starting the ascent. I just slid down the other side. Enjoying myself!

Sydney

I'm here. Have a lovely balcony over looking Hyde Park. Only a few minutes flight to the harbour.

Another lovely view and a beer. Well it is hot. There's supposed to be a bridge round here somewhere. Have a proper lookround later.

Still Flying

Well this is strange the wings aren't flapping. My wings flap when I fly, why aren't the planes?

I had to go out and have a look in the end. I asked a perfectly reasonable question and everybody got really upset. The plane doesn't fly in the same way as dragons do. We flap our wings and use fire. I asked where the fire was and somebody screamed and that was that.....